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Monday, February 13, 2012

Dillydally with Diamonds

To dillydally is, by the Merriam-Webster definition, to "waste time by delaying." Yes, it was a day of delaying some things that maybe should have been tended to....like taxes or cleaning the basement. And it is, after all, a Monday: time to get moving. But it was one of those Mondays that came behind a rather large weekend, so it was a little tough to get back in the saddle.
I do make a point on Monday mornings to visit the Diva to see what she has waiting for us in the way of a big juicy Zentangle® challenge. This week's treat was offered by a guest challenger, CZT Diana Hirsch. Diana used her challenge to raise awareness for The Four Diamonds Fund.
Using the organization's logo as a string, and then using only diamond-esque tangles to fill the string, was a particularly challenging request for me. Most days, making a diamond shape just doesn't fit my natural rhythm. I don't know why it's so different than a square, which gives me no trouble. I approached the challenge with a ho-hum, since I had a preconceived notion of my enjoyment level with drawing diamonds. Thinking back, that sounds a little arrogant to think that I should know beforehand what I will and will not connect to before I even start! Oh well, not a surprise really. I have my story and I'm sticking to it (ahem).
The first tile I did was pretty simple. I wasn't into it for a very long time. All those straight lines were not doing a thing for my fun level. Wow how arrogant again, to think that the lines of my pen were supposed to entertain me. geez. ok. Moving forward, the magic of this art form once again took over, and I found myself looking at this tile in a more open way. The more lines I made, the more open I felt, and the more that little creative voice spoke to me about putting other little lines here and there, and where to put some shade. Hmm. I should have known this would happen. If I just shut up to myself about what I think I will like, I might just open myself up to something new and miraculous.
After the first tile, I was anxious to try another. I spent lots of time on this second one. And, by Merriam-Webster's meaning, and maybe some other people's standards of what should be done in a day's time, this dillydallying was getting out of control. I dillydallied and probably even shilly-shallied too! It was great fun.
Thank you, Diana!! And thank you, Laura. And also thank you to Rick Roberts for his post for the day, that I'm sure had something to do with allowing myself to see beyond my expectations, and move forward into something much more wondrous!

Hallo Carol! I love them both, the 2. a little bit nore ;-)! But so grea! As I am a flowerlover and curved lines lover this challenge will be an extraordinary challnage for me ;-))But I am also a beginner, so we will see!

I commented with my tablet but I guess it didn't work. I really love looking at both of the tiles. The second is so elegant and intricate so that goes without saying but I love the first one. something about the placement of the patterns really appeals to me!

Carole, these are gorgeous. The hard, stright lines on the first tile still flow smoothly. I feel the excitement you had doing the second tile. Thank you for having the Strength to move into a challenge that didn't initially thrill you (I know what that's like). The Wisdom you've gained by pushing yourself is just as wonder-full as your tiles. thank you for contributing to my challenge!

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